Children learn about the world around them through experience from a very young age. They listen, observe, remember and imitate others, but it is also important for them to play with different toys. Give them one, and just watch the magic happen.

A baptism is an important milestone in a Christian’s life. Some denominations allow infant and adult baptisms, some don’t, but the odds are that any Christians entering their new lives as parents will have to start planning out their child’s spiritual path as well as their physical path.

Reading food labels is becoming an increasingly complicated endeavor. Half the ingredients read like a foreign tongue and could make a spelling bee champion’s cranium implode. In truth, most people have no idea what they are eating on a regular basis.

If you want to avoid subjecting your baby to meals concocted in some far-off chemistry lab, you may wish to make your own baby food at home. Yes, preparing healthy, additive-free meals for your little one is easier than you may think.

So, you’ve been dreaming of doing it all – being the best mother, a doting wife, a home-based entrepreneur, and an excellent home school teacher – and everyone says you’re crazy. “It can’t be done,” they say, shaking their heads vehemently. Don’t give up hope. You can have it all – and without winding up a drooling, babbling loon hunched up in the corner of the room.

Here are a few important steps to help you teach and work from home simultaneously.

Most kids are normally apprehensive about meeting new people – especially if those people are adults. This is why it is so important to facilitate at least one meeting with a new nanny or babysitter before you leave your child alone with her (or him). This extra time helps your child learn that, since you trust this new person, he should trust this new person; it also helps your little one get used to the idea that you and he are going to be separated sometimes. The more your kids trust this new caretaker, the easier it will be for them to work through their separation anxiety.

There are lots of arguments to be made for adopting children, but the only person who can truly decide if adoption is right for your family is you. Moreover, the decision should not be made lightly. Deciding to bring a child into your home is a noble idea to be sure, but not every would-be parent is up to or cut out for it.

Every parent wants to have a well-stocked arts and crafts cabinet. The goal is an understandable and even noble one. Who doesn’t want to be able to help their kids do whatever craft project they dream up? If you aren’t careful, though, you’ll go overboard in the craft supply stores, and even though your cabinet gets packed, it won’t be packed with supplies that are actually useful.

For the vast majority of American kids, their entire school experience will be determined by their age and neighborhood. Children of the same age and from the same place are carted off in buses to centralized buildings where they shuffle from classroom to classroom in 45-minute blocks throughout the day. A one-size-fits-all lesson plan will be dictated to them, irrespective of their individual minds, desires, needs, histories, and talents.

Some parents seeking to avoid this cookie-cutter eduction do so by enrolling their kids in private schools. Others choose homeschooling. But for thousands of American families, the Montessori education method is the alternative that brings the best out in their child.

Everybody showers the baby with love and presents (from wooden animal toys and children’s rocking horses to teddy bears and cute and fussy outfits) and, more often than not, the mother who gave birth feels left behind or overlooked. Don’t let the expectant mother in your life feel unappreciated. Here are some great gifts that you can give her both before and after she gives birth.

Yes, the baby is the most important gift. That doesn’t mean that you can’t still shower an expectant mom with loot, too!

Moms get all the credit, and maybe they should – or at least most of it. When it comes to making children, they do most of the work. For the better part of a year, an expecting mother has a soccer game going on inside of her belly. It’s uncomfortable, painful, exhausting – and they don’t even let you drink while you’re going through it.

The tradeoff is something called maternal instinct – a biologically driven, internal connection that a mother has with her baby. It’s strong, it’s undeniable, and it can’t be defined or explained. Every human being who has ever lived had a belly button, which was once attached to a cord that literally linked them to their mother – the physical embodiment of the most intimate bond in the world.

The adoption process has evolved tremendously over the years, giving those who wish to become parents more options in which to do so, thus creating better chances for children who need to find a loving home. Whether prospective adoptive parents are interested in domestic, international or foster adoption, they can now turn to several different resources to assist them through the steps of adoption and help them find a child that will be the perfect addition to their family. There are three main types of adoption, and by reaching out to local child welfare agencies, private adoption agencies, adoption attorneys, etc. hopeful parents will be able to learn more about each and then decide which opportunity is the best for them to pursue. Exploring Foster Adoption and Other Ways to Become Adoptive Parents continued »

You’ve worked hard to instill a love of books and reading in your kids. You read to them while they were babies and toddlers. You take them to the library regularly. They’re reaching that age where they are finally old enough to read on their own and suddenly, now that they have to do it themselves, getting your kids to read is like pulling teeth. What do you do?

When a baby’s on the way, the number of products to invest in can seem overwhelming, particularly for first-time parents. It’s no surprise to you that you’ll need a crib, car seat, and probably some baby toys. But there are a number of items that beginner parents might never think of – until the baby is here, and it’s deemed necessary.

Stock up beforehand, whether by registering for these items for your baby shower or taking a trip to your local baby and kids’ store, so you’re ready to tackle parenthood as soon as your bundle of joy comes home from the hospital.

The Nabisco Endangered Species Carousel takes zoo guests for a whimsical spin upon 38 hand-carved wooden animal figures. The ride also features a series of hand-painted murals depicting endangered mothers and babies in their natural habitats. The carousel is located in the Children’s Zoo, and is housed under a colorful pavilion that protects it from the sun and rain. Merry Go Round At Zoo Atlanta continued »

Embellishing your house on the bountiful eve of Christmas is overwhelming pleasure. You need every room to be well arranged with an innovative Christmas theme. Doing Christmas arrangements in your tween’s room could be a little problematic if your kids don’t like it. It’s better to practice do-it-yourself ideas for more tailored stuff correlated to your kid’s personal craze. Bundle of items can be crafted to decorate your tot’s chamber.

Easy-peasy Christmas colorful, shiny, textured paper wreaths are speedy to make and your kid will love his beloved Christmas character name on it.

If your child is a pet-lover and crazy about little birdies, cut a tree branch and fix it in a plastic pot filled with foam, stick a tiny vintage bird collection and a few charming deer to celebrate the holidays

Your baby is bored of typical Christmas tree décor? Use sock monkeys to hang upon his/her Christmas tree as a perfect trifles

Hand-prints of your kid on paper cards can be a lovely addition on small Christmas tree ornaments

An astonishing advent tree formed with small glossy gift boxes is a wondrous ornament for your kids room

Colorful magazine or story book pages twisted in a cone shape can form exquisite wreaths to hang on the door

Handmade wide garland with little festive cards engraved with Christmas words or your child’s name will be amusing for him/her

Decorate your daughter’s room full of her favorite dolls that will make her crazy with excitement

Carve out a lengthy garland with tiny paper pieces joined with sewing thread will be handy and easy to make

Paint a corner of your tween’s room with magnificent gift boxes to let her/him enjoy the temptation of Christmas gifts

Place a small Christmas tree in their room and let them decorate it with their own creativity

Christmas cards are a brilliant item to hang on a wall as Christmas trimming

As a crafter, trying to find the time and space you need to focus on your projects is a challenge on a good day. If you have kids who are still at home, it can be even more difficult. You need to finish a commission but your kids need attention, too.

How do you balance these needs, meet your deadlines, and give your kids the attention they need all at the same time? Here are some tips.

For those of us that have raised kids it is no secret that it is hard work. It takes time, money, patience, sacrifice and consistency just to name a few. When you think about it, our kids reflect who we are. When we have trouble controlling our anger, our children usually do also. When we are patient, our children usually learn to be patient. Although, it seems like they learn the bad behaviors easier than they learn the good ones.

To raise good kids, we need to be a good example for them to follow. When we are hard workers, we can teach our kids to be hard workers, but we have to teach them. It does not magically just happen. When we swear, our kids learn to swear and when we drink, our kids learn to drink.